Woodward Academy sixth grader Katie McRury of Mableton, recently qualified as one of the top 100 students in the state for the National Geographic Bee. Katie now moves on to the state competition March 30. Each year, thousands of schools in the United States participate in the National Geographic Bee using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society. The contest encourages teachers to include geography in their classrooms, sparking student interest in the subject and increasing public awareness about geography. Students in grades 4-8 are eligible for the competition.
***
North Gwinnett High School French teacher Rhonda Archer has been selected to take part in an exchange program through the Georgia Department of Education and Georgia Tech. North Gwinnett is one of six schools in Georgia selected for the program. The school has been paired with a school in France and is hosting 16 students and one teacher from there March 9-14.
***
Jennifer Williams, a student in the Culinary Arts program at Gwinnett Technical College, won the national grand prize for her original recipe at the 2012 USA Pears Culinary Student Competition. Williams and two other finalists traveled to Oregon last month to create their dishes for the judges at Portland's Le Cordon Bleu. Williams' pear and prosciutto ravioli with pear sauce entrée received the top honor and a $1,000 scholarship. Williams began testing and refining her recipe between fall and spring semesters at Gwinnett Tech. She then practiced her recipe in Gwinnett Tech's professional kitchen.
***
The Museum School of Avondale Estates recently received statewide recognition for the high academic performance of its students and its innovative curriculum. The K-4 public charter school is one of 58 elementary schools statewide to receive a bronze award from the Governor's Office of Student Achievement for outstanding academic performance. The school was also recognized by the Georgia Association of Museums and Galleries with its Education Award. The Museum School's curriculum engages students through partnerships with local nonprofits, teaching children to share what they have learned in creative ways, much like museum curators.
***
Noah Booth, Sierra Cannon, Sara Rose Carson, Hannah Dailey, Kaitlyn Gurley, Sarah Joiner, Alexis O'Neal, Nathan Rhineheimer , Amy Sethna and Frankie Sotka are the winners of the 2012 Helen Ruffin Reading Bowl county & regional competitions. This is the second year in a row Union Grove Middle School has won this competition.
About the Author
